Bruce Springsteen Announced As '09 Superbowl Halftime Show

[duncan228]

Bruce Springsteen Preps for the Big Game
by Erik Pedersen


Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
New Jersey is going to the Super Bowl.

The Garden State's own Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band has been announced as the entertainment during the Super Bowl XLIII Halftime at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The big game will air Feb. 1 on NBC.

The halftime gig, made infamous in 2004 by Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, has in recent years become the opportunity to bring out venerable rock acts to the estimated 148 million or so people watching. Recent performers have included the Rolling Stones, U2, Prince, Paul McCartney and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, all rocking out to an adoring crowd and a five-second delay, in case anything spontaneous happens.

Aside from what should surely be a top-notch performance by Springsteen, fans can at least feel safe that no wardrobe malfunctions are likely occur with this bunch.

That is, unless Little Steven's head scarf gets blown off. Then things could get ugly.

[duncan228]

Prediction: Bruce Springsteen's Super Bowl Setlist
By Eliot Van Buskirk

The Super Bowl halftime show, one of the most coveted slots in the music business, will be filled by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band next February. Over 148 million people tuned in last year to watch fellow Americana prac ioner Tom Petty busted out such classics as "American Girl" and "Running Down a Dream" in a well-received rock medley.

The stock market failed to rebound on news that "The Boss" would be handling music duties next year in Tampa Bay, Florida. However, like Petty, Springsteen is unlikely to have a wardrobe malfunction on the level of the Timberlake/Jackson fiasco of 2004, which should at least help conserve the airwaves for more pressing matters.

In the grand tradition of trying to guess the setlist of the Super Bowl performer in advance, here are the six songs Bruce is most likely to choose for his halftime set:

1. "Born To Run"

This one's about running, which occurs quite a bit in football. It's a done deal, especially if one of the teams boasts an unstoppable rushing game.

2. "Glory Days"

Ever see the video? As a Springsteen song that's already about sports, this one is a lay-up, so to speak. It somehow made me feel nostalgic before my Little League days were even over.

3. "Streets of Philadelphia"

Sure, it was written for a movie about an AIDS patient. But with the economy and so many other areas of the country looking fairly sick themselves, this one could sneak into the set list come next February. To wit, check out the opening lyrics: "I was bruised and battered, I couldn't tell what I felt, I was unrecognizable to myself. I saw my reflection in a window, I didn't know my own face. Oh brother are you gonna leave me wastin' away." Sound familiar, America? Plus, Bruce might be looking to bring the tempo down a notch after "Glory Days" so he can start ratcheting up the energy in anticipation of the finale.

4. "I'm On Fire"

It'll be time to pick up the mood by the time we get to the fourth song. What better than the transcendent eruption that occurs as this song hits the chorus? The Electrelane version (hear it live) really makes my arm hairs stand on end, but Bruce's is okay too.

5."Blinded By The Light"

Not many people know that Bruce Springsteen wrote this song, made popular by Mannfred Mann's Earth Band as a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 back in '77. What better way to remind everyone that Springsteen wrote it than by performing it in front of 148 million or so people?

6. Finale: "Born In The USA"

The perfect capper for Bruce's medley, this anthem is actually about the effects of the Vietnam War on those who served in it -- not that that has stopped everyone from Ronald Reagan to (presumably) the National Football League from serving it up an unequivocal statement of nationalism. It'd be the perfect way to sum up the idea that despite everything, we're still in it together.

[leemajors]

another safe, boring pick. Thunder Dan should be there, he loves the Boss.

[JoeChalupa]

The Boss Rocks!!! Now I'll have a reason to watch.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

[Pistons < Spurs]

God.... this halftime show is going to be even worse than last years, and I didn't think that would ever be possible.

[duncan228]

another safe, boring pick.

I don't find him boring at all. Of course, I'm a Duncan fan so maybe he is.

I think he takes chances, he's released albums way out of the mainstream, not caring about sales but only about what he wants to say. Everytime I've seen him live the shows have been incredible and no 2 alike even though I've seen him more than once on the same tour.

I agree he's a safe choice for the kind of audience and ratings the Superbowl brings, and it's a safe bet he won't do anything but raise the crowd to its feet.

[mrsmaalox]

God.... this halftime show is going to be even worse than last years, and I didn't think that would ever be possible.

I thought theTom Petty show was nice; but I'm not interested in the Boss either.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

God.... this halftime show is going to be even worse than last years, and I didn't think that would ever be possible.

i'd rather see quadriplegic twister

[Trainwreck2100]

you Janet Jackson

[Viva Las Espuelas]

you Janet Jackson

man, i hadn't thought of that. maybe next year they can reunite willie and julio.

"to all dee girls"

[JoeChalupa]

This will be one of the best shows ever. But for Bruce it is about the music so I hope they keep all the fireworks and other flash out and just let his music do the talking. This is the type of music that I'm talkin' about!!!!

[Trainwreck2100]

This will be one of the best shows ever. But for Bruce it is about the music so I hope they keep all the fireworks and other flash out and just let his music do the talking. This is the type of music that I'm talkin' about!!!!

As long as we don't have a bunch of 20 year olds singing along like they actually know the words when there's no way in they do.

[JoeChalupa]

As long as we don't have a bunch of 20 year olds singing along like they actually know the words when there's no way in they do.

[duncan228]

This will be one of the best shows ever. But for Bruce it is about the music so I hope they keep all the fireworks and other flash out and just let his music do the talking. This is the type of music that I'm talkin' about!!!!

I'm with you, I'm a big Bruce fan. I also hope they keep the hype out, I expect they will. There wasn't much with Petty. Bands like this don't need any add-ons.

[purist]

not a fan of springsteen.

Led Zeppelin would be awesome.

[johnsmith]

As long as we don't have a bunch of 20 year olds singing along like they actually know the words when there's no way in they do.

I don't know, would you rather have a bunch of 20 year olds that don't know the words but are at least nice to look at or would you prefer a bunch of 40 year olds that know the words but are getting over the hill and haven't been attractive since 1995?

[duncan228]

Led Zeppelin would be awesome.

After seeing Page's "performance" at the Olympics, I'm not so sure how awesome they'd be anymore. And I'm a fan.

[JoeChalupa]

I don't know, would you rather have a bunch of 20 year olds that don't know the words but are at least nice to look at or would you prefer a bunch of 40 year olds that know the words but are getting over the hill and haven't been attractive since 1995?

A bunch of 20 year old hotties looking at 40 year old studs who want to be with a real man.

And how 'bout the Boss and Billy Joel teaming up for a concert on October 16th in support of Obama!!
That'll be a show to remember.

[lefty]

you Janet Jackson

Good timing

She just got released from a Montreal hospital

[Thunder Dan]

the line at the restroom will be the longest in Super Bowl history

What the NFL didn't want to fork over the cash for the Jonas Brothers?

[Twisted_Dawg]

The Boss Rocks!!! Now I'll have a reason to watch.

The Boss used to rock before his voice got infected with Dylanitis and his music got so ecletic. Not sure anyone wants to hear The Ghost and Tom Joad at the Super Bowl.

Prediction: Bruce Springsteen's Super Bowl Setlist
By Eliot Van Buskirk


In the grand tradition of trying to guess the setlist of the Super Bowl performer in advance, here are the six songs Bruce is most likely to choose for his halftime set:

1. "Born To Run"

This one's about running, which occurs quite a bit in football. It's a done deal, especially if one of the teams boasts an unstoppable rushing game.

2. "Glory Days"

Ever see the video? As a Springsteen song that's already about sports, this one is a lay-up, so to speak. It somehow made me feel nostalgic before my Little League days were even over.

3. "Streets of Philadelphia"

This song will never be played at the Super Bowl in fears of turning off 100 million TV's.

4. "I'm On Fire"

It'll be time to pick up the mood by the time we get to the fourth song. What better than the transcendent eruption that occurs as this song hits the chorus? The Electrelane version (hear it live) really makes my arm hairs stand on end, but Bruce's is okay too.

5."Blinded By The Light"

Not many people know that Bruce Springsteen wrote this song, made popular by Mannfred Mann's Earth Band as a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 back in '77. What better way to remind everyone that Springsteen wrote it than by performing it in front of 148 million or so people?

6. Finale: "Born In The USA"

The perfect capper for Bruce's medley, this anthem is actually about the effects of the Vietnam War on those who served in it -- not that that has stopped everyone from Ronald Reagan to (presumably) the National Football League from serving it up an unequivocal statement of nationalism. It'd be the perfect way to sum up the idea that despite everything, we're still in it together.

Very Weak Prediction List. Add Tenth Avenue Freeze Out, Thunder Road, Hungry Heart & The Promised Land to the list. Also, he will surely do a newer song such as The Rising.

[Spurminator]

He'll do three songs: Born to Run, Hungry Heart, and Born in the U.S.A. In that order.

[Thunder Dan]

If the NFL limited it's search of artists to those from New Jersey I would go

1. Bon Jovi
2. My Chemical Romance
3. Jonas Brothers
4. Kool and the Gang
5.Pete Yorn

and if that fails ask Springsteen

[PM5K]

Prince, every year....